TOMPKINSVILLEELEMENTARY SCHOOL

2011 – 2012 STUDENT HANDBOOK

SCHOOL HOURS

School hours are from 7:45 a.m. until 2:45 p.m. each day. Students should NOT arrive to school earlier than 6:30 a.m. or remain on campus later than 3:00 p.m. (unless enrolled in an after-school program). If students are not intheir classrooms by 7:45 a.m., they will be counted tardy.

AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS

CUB CLUB will be offered Monday thru Friday from 2:45 to 5:30 p.m. Students attending Cub Club may participate in fun, enrichment activities and receive help with homework. There is a small fee to participate in Cub Club. For more information about Cub Club, please call the school.

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VISITORS/VOLUNTEERS

We welcome and encourage parents/guardians to visit frequently and actively participate in the education of their child. For the safety of our students and staff, ALL visitors/volunteers MUST first report to the school office. Entrance MUST be made through the front doors (all others will be locked). Visitors/Volunteers must sign-in by using our Automated ID System which will issue a visitor’s pass that must beworn at all times while on campus. Visitors/Volunteers ARE NOT permitted behind counter area and must use front door entrance when entering the school. All visitors/volunteers must make prior arrangements with teachers to visit the classroom to eliminate instructional disruptions. Volunteers MUST complete a criminal check and be oriented by the Family Resource Coordinator before beginning volunteer duties. Children not enrolled at Tompkinsville Elementary are NOT permitted to spend the day at school.

CAR RIDERS

Parents bringing their child(ren) to school MUST let them out at the cafeteria door on the far right of the building. Drop off time begins at 6:30 a.m. and not before. The same procedure will work in the afternoon starting at 2:45 p.m. All students MUST be picked up by 3:00 p.m. (unless enrolled in an after-school program). For the safety of the students, parents are not allowed out of their vehicles during drop-off and pick-up times. Students will be dismissed from the cafeteria as each parent arrives at designated area. Any changes to the pick-up list MUST be called into the school by 1:00 p.m.

ABSOLUTELY NO CARS ARE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE FRONT AREA OF THE BUILDING DURING CAR RIDER DROP-OFF AND PICK-UP TIMES.

The CAFETERIA DOOR is the only door to be used by students who are car riders. NOEXCEPTIONS! This procedure is to ensure the safety of your child.

ATTENDANCE POLICY

See attached Attendance Policy.

MEDICATION

No medication shall be given or dispensed unless the student has on file a medication authorization form signed by the parent or legal guardian. Parent or guardian MUST bring all medications to school in their original containers. NO medication is to be brought to school by a student at any time. This includes Tylenol. The school nurse will be responsible for distributing all medications.

STUDENT APPEARANCE

Students are encouraged to dress in a neat, modest, and attractive manner that reflects pride in themselves and their school. Students should wear clothing which are safe, not disturbing or distracting to others, and are appropriate for learning.

The following dress code shall be followed at TompkinsvilleElementary School:

  • Wearing apparel which contains tobacco, drug, alcohol logos or profanity are NOT permitted.
  • Hats, caps, or head covering of any kind may NOT be worn inside the building.
  • All clothing is to be non-revealing. (Shorts are to be mid-length and tops are not to be “low cut” or have “spaghetti straps”).
  • Shoes are to worn by students at all times. Rollers on shoes are NOT permitted(i.e. Hellys).
  • Pants are to be worn at the waist. No clothing is permitted that allows underwear to show.
  • Piercing is limited to the ears only.

Violations to dress code will result in the following: Parent will be notified immediately by our Family Resource Coordinator to bring a change of clothing for the student. Continuous violations will result in more serious disciplinary measures.

USE OF TELEPHONE

The school phones are for business only. Prior dismissal arrangements should be made before arriving at school. In order to protect valuable learning time, phone calls will NOT be transferred to teachers. Teachers will be given messages to return parent calls during their planning times or after school.

PARENT/TEACHER CONFERENCES

Parent/teacher conferences are scheduled twice during the school year (once in the fall and once in the spring). Notices will be sent home notifying parents of the dates and times for these conferences. Staff is available to meet with parents to discuss student progress at anytime during the school year. To arrange a meeting with school staff, please call the school office.

BUS TRANSPORTATION

Riding a school bus is a privilegeand is conditioned upon good behavior by the passenger. The bus driver is in charge of his/her bus and responsible for the safety of his/her passengers. Any passenger who violates the rules or regulations on a school bus will be reported to the student’s principal. The principal will then administer the following consequences:

1st Offense – Warning to bus suspension(2 days)

2nd Offense –Bus suspension (3 days)

3rd Offense – Bus suspension (5 days)

4th Offense – Bus suspension (10 days)

5th Offense – Bus suspension REMAINDER OF SCHOOL YEAR!

NOTE: Serious offenses (inflicting harm to others) may warrant more serious immediate consequences.

IF A STUDENT IS TO HAVE A DIFFERENT DISMISSAL TRAVEL PLAN THAN NORMAL, A NOTE MUST BE SENT WITH THE STUDENT THAT MORNING. IF AN EMERGENCY OCCURS CAUSING TRAVEL PLANS TO CHANGE AFTER THE BEGINNING OF THE SCHOOL DAY, A PARENT/GUARDIAN MUST CALL THE SCHOOL PRIOR TO 1:00 P.M.

PERSONAL BELONGING/UNAUTHORIZED ITEMS

Students are discouraged from bringing personal belongings to school. Any electronic equipment, ipods, compact disc players, game boys, cards, toys, marbles, etc. will be confiscated by school staff and returned to child at the end of the school day -or- parent will be notified to pick up item(s) if continuous violations occur. Buying/Selling/Trading of any kind is NOT permitted at school.

EMERGENCY PROCEDURES

The safety of your child(ren) is one of our greatest concerns. The school holds regular drills to teach pupils to respond calmly in the event of an emergency. TompkinsvilleElementary School will hold the following drills several times throughout the school year: fire, tornado, lock down, earthquake, and bus evacuation.

REPORT CARDS/PROGRESS REPORTS

TompkinsvilleElementary School operates on a nine-weeks grading schedule. Report cards are sent home at the end of each nine-weeks grading period. In addition, progress reports are sent home at the mid-term of each grading period.

TOMPKINSVILLE ELEMENTARY FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER

The FamilyResourceCenter helps to improve students’ chances of succeeding in school by assisting children and their families with some of their basic needs. This is achieved by providing direct services or by linking families with community agencies. The TompkinsvilleFamilyResourceCenter may be reached by calling the school.

HOME/SCHOOL COMMUNICATON

Student work, notes, flyers, information sheets, behavioral forms, etc. will be sent home daily in a black folder. It is very important for parents to review all materials provided in the folder, sign at indicated places, and return student’s folder to his/her teacher the following day. Parents may also access Teacher Websites for homework assignments, special classroom announcements, etc. by visiting the school’s web page at and selecting Teacher Websites.

ONE CALL NOW

The “One Call Now” notification system will be used to contact parents/guardians in the event of cancellations due to weather, emergency school situations, or other unforeseen situations by making large number of phone calls in a very brief period of time, usually within 15 minutes.

The telephone service will store up to four numbers per child, so parents/guardians are urged to keep contact numbers updated for the “One Call Now” system to be most effective.

TompkinsvilleElementary School will also be using the “One Call Now” system to inform parents/guardians of school programs, events, particular club information, etc.

Parents/guardians should contact the school if they are not receiving telephone calls through the “One Call Now” system or receiving calls in error.

CELL PHONE USE

While on school property or while attending school-sponsored activities, students MUST observe the following conditions when possessing a cell phone:

*Cell phone shall NOT be on from the time you arrive on school property until dismissal that afternoon.

*Cell phone shall be stored out of sight and turned OFF.

*The school/district shall NOT be responsible for loss, theft or destruction of devices brought onto school property

Consequences of Cell Phone Violations:

1st Offense – Cell phone will be confiscated. Only parent/guardian may pick-up cell phone between 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. on the following school day.

2nd Offense – Cell phone will be kept at the school for five (5) school days. Only parent/guardian may pick-up cell phone.

3rd Offense – Cell phone will be kept at the school for ten (10) school days. Only parent/guardian may pick-up cell phone.

TOMPKINSVILLEELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CODE OF CONDUCT

INTRODUCTION

TompkinsvilleElementary School requires a high standard of conduct from our students, promoting respect for self and others. AT ALL TIMES students shouldfollowTHE GOLDEN RULE: “DO UNTO OTHERS AS YOU WOULD HAVE THEM DO UNTO YOU!” If everyone followed this simple rule, there would be no need for other rules.

This code of conduct is designed to guarantee:

  • Orderly operation of the school
  • A safe environment for students, employees, and visitors
  • Opportunities for students to achieve at a high academic level in a productive learning environment
  • Assistance for students demonstrating disruptive behavior
  • Protection of public and personal property

This policy applies to students while at school, on school grounds, school buses, and while participating in school sponsored trips/activities.

VOICE LEVELS

Level 1: NO TALKING – Total silence. Ex: Hallway/Assembly voice level

Level 2: WHISPER – Quiet conversation….Only the person you are talking with can

hear you. Ex: Lunchroom/Group work voice level

EXPECTATIONS

MINOR VIOLATIONSimpede orderly classroom and school common areasprocedures and interfere with the instructional process. These actions violate the rights of other students and impede their education. They do not, however, seriously endanger the health or safety of others in the school.

Examples: Not keeping hands and feet to ones self, inappropriate Voice Level, tardiness, disruption, lack of materials, inappropriate dress, failure to complete homework, cheating, running, horseplay, disrespect (minor), technology violation, possession of unauthorized items (minor).

NOTE: All minor violations will be handled by the classroom teacher. Parents will be notified by the teacher in the event minor violations become habitual. If minor violations continue after the teacher contacts parent and exhaust classroom consequences, student will be referred to administration.

MAJOR VIOLATIONS are serious acts directed against persons or property. All major violations will be handled by administration and will follow school and district policy.

Examples: Bullying (threatening, intimidating, harassing), fighting, destruction of property, tobacco, alcohol, drugs, fireworks, weapons. Habitual minor violations will also be considered a major violation. Ex: Dress code, cheating, tardiness, disruption, vulgar language, defiance, non-compliance.

HEART PROCEDURES

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Student Behavior Expectations: RESTROOMS

  • I will use a Level 2 voice.
  • I will show respect to staff, peers, and school property.
  • I will keep my hands and feet to myself.
  • I will wash my hands and put paper in the trash can.

Student Behavior Expectations: HALLWAYS

  • I will use a Level 1 voice.
  • I will keep my hands to my side.
  • I will show respect to staff and peers.
  • I will stay off the walls when lining up or walking.

Student Behavior Expectations: CAFETERIA

  • I will use a Level 2 voice.
  • I will keep my hand and feet to myself in line and at the table.
  • I will show respect to staff and peers.
  • I will use proper table manners.
  • I will clean-up my area when finished eating.
  • I will wait my turn while waiting to empty my tray-put my fork/spoon in the proper place and stack my tray neatly.
  • I will walk to line-up, hands to my side, and face forward.

DISCIPLINARY INTERVENTIONS

In-School Suspension (ISS): An alternative to out-of-school suspension. ISSis a way of dealing with major infractions of student misconduct. Students assigned to ISS will spend their time under close supervision of school staff and MUST follow strict guidelines such as: Being respectful, staying in seat, working, not talking. Students not following these guidelines, will receive extended time in ISS or out-of-school suspension will be imposed. Length of assignment to ISS will depend on seriousness and/or frequency of violation.

  • Out-of-School Suspension(OSS): OSS is a way of dealing with infractions of student misconduct which may be harmful to the student or others. During OSS, the student is not permitted to participate in any extracurricular activities and is not allowed Monroe County School’s grounds. The student will be held responsible for missed classroom work during OSS time.
  • Alternative Learning Center (Falcon Academy): Students who will not conform to the regular school setting, and are a continuous threat to others, will be referred to the district’s LC (Falcon Academy). A minimum stay of 4-weeks is required and attending student must accomplish all goals prior to exiting Falcon Academy.
  • Corporal Punishment: Corporal punishment is only used as a last resort and only after all other disciplinary means have been tried and found ineffective. Parental permission MUST be on file in the school’s office. Parent will be notified prior to corporal punishment being administered.

2011 – 2012 SCHOOL CALENDAR

August 5……………..…First day for students

September 5…………....Labor Day Holiday

October 10-14……….....Fall Break

November 8……………Election Day (No School)

November 23-25…….....Thanksgiving Holiday

December 20 & 21……..Professional Development (No School)

December 22-Jan. 1……Christmas Break

January 16……………..Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday (No School)

February 20……………Presidents’ Day (No School)

February 23 & 24……...Professional Development (No School)

April 2-6………………..Spring Break

May 8…………………...Last day for students

May 9-30………………..Make-up days (if needed)